Private, Marching Order 1812


The dress for the British Army during the Peninsular War had to adapt to conditions but this is how it should have looked. The shako was the stove-pipe version, but made of felt rather than lacquered. The brass badge was the universal pattern for all infantry. The white over red plume is for a Battalion Company man, as are the blue shoulder straps which form white tufts at the point of the shoulder. The coat is waist length at the front and has white lace pointed button loops in pairs. These are obscured by all the straps and belts. The blue cuffs are edged in white and have four buttons with white loops also in pairs. His trousers are white and worn with black spats and boots. This illustration is by Bryan Fosten.


Uniforms | Regimental Details


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by Stephen Luscombe